The Sonos brand needs no introduction, but for people unaware, Sonos is a company that has been building speakers for over a decade. It has gained a lot of popularity in recent years, thanks to its multi-room audio system, which lets you control the music of different speakers wirelessly through an app. Sonos offers several multi-room audio systems along with home theater setups, soundbars, music streaming system Connect, and more. But they are not for everyone. So, whether you are hunting for a better sounding smart speaker or looking for a more portable and affordable variant, here is the extensive roundup of the top 15 Sonos alternatives for multi-room speaker experience.
Not everyone can afford the Sonos speakers or setups, considering their high prices. Also, Sonos is no longer the only company that brings multi-room speaker experience as the advent of voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant and smart speakers have made multi-room audio more accessible to consumers.
- Sonos One and Sonos Play:1 Alternatives
- Sonos Play:3 Alternatives
- Sonos Five and Sonos Play:5 Alternatives
Sonos One and Sonos Play:1 Alternative
Sonos One and Play:1 are the cheapest multi-room audio speakers that you can get from Sonos. Here are the best alternatives that you can get:
Google has launched several new speakers under its smart home brand Nest, and the Nest Audio speaker system is winning a lot of hearts. Not only it features a clean and minimalist design language, but the speaker also has an affordable price, coming at just $99. With this new speaker, Google also allows users to connect multiple speakers to get a multi-room speaker experience.
The speaker comes with a 19mm tweeter and a 75mm mid-woofer for clear highs and deeper bass. Google claims the new Nest Audio is 75% louder than the Google Home and has 50% better bass response. So you are getting a far better speaker for the same price.
Cons:
Buy from Google: $99
3. Bose SoundTouch 10
Bose has always boasted of great speakers and its SoundTouch multi-room speaker line-up is no different. The SoundTouch 10 speaker competes with the Sonos Play:1 and Sonos One.
One speaker is enough to fill the room however you can also pair two of them in stereo to enhance the experience even more. Like Sonos, Bose offers the SoundTouch app for all the platforms including Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac allowing you to control music with the device in your hands.
Since Sonos itself ended its Play:3 line of speakers, there was a huge gap in the market which thankfully other speaker manufacturers were able to competently fill. Here are the best Sonos Play:3 alternatives that you can buy
1. Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i
Unlike Sonos Play:3 which sported a considerable size, the Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i comes in quite a small package which is something that I really like. Despite being an ultra-compact speaker, the Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i delivers crystal-clear sound quality with a very good dynamic range thanks to its direct digital amplifier and custom-tuned drivers.
Pros:
Like the SoundTouch 10, the Bose SoundTouch 20 is an excellent multi-room speaker system which can act as a worthy alternative to now-defunct Sonos Play:3. The SoundTouch 20 is basically the bigger and better brother of SoundTouch 10.
Cons:
- Lacks compact design
Another great Sonos Play:3 alternative is the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay M3 which brings a great audio experience thanks to its Signature Sound technology which brings authentic sound quality. The speaker uses quality materials including aluminum, wool, and polymer which not only make the speaker durable but also play a part in its sound delivery system.
One of my favorite speakers on this list is Marshall acton II. First of all, it sports a unique retro look which I am a big fan of. Secondly, it sounds great with balanced audio delivery and offers physical dials to control the different elements including bass, treble, and volume so you don’t have to fiddle with settings buried deep inside an app.
- Activating Alexa doesn’t seem straightforward
Libratone ZIPP MINI cannot be farther from Sonos Play:3 when it comes to the looks, however, don’t be fooled by its small size. The speaker packs a punch and can deliver deep bass, full midrange, along with very clear lows.
One of the biggest benefits of Libratone ZIPP MINI is that it comes with a built-in rechargeable battery which can last for 10+ hours on a full charge. That means you can take the speaker out for a trip when you want to so that you have the best audio experience wherever you go.
6. Libratone Zipp
Just in case you are fond of Libratone Zipp MINI 2 but you want to have its slightly more capable variant, Libratone Zipp could be the right answer to your needs. The smart speaker is known to offer 360° loud stereo sound which makes it a direct competitor to Sonos Play:3.
- Preset 5 internet radio and playlists
- 15W woofer
- Offer 360° loud stereo sound
- Last up to 12 hours
Cons:
There is a lot to like in Bose Home Speaker 300. First and foremost, the smart speaker is lightweight and compact. So, you can comfortably carry it anywhere. Design-wise, it looks just as good-looking as Sonos Play: 3, though it has a different form-factor.
Sonos Five and Sonos Play:5 Alternatives
Sonos Play:5 is the company’s most premium line of multi-room audio system speakers. Here are some of the alternatives that you should look at:
The Marshall Stanmore II is to Marshall Acton II what Sonos Play:5 is to Sonos Play:3. What this means is that you will be getting the same overall experience, it would be just better and more refined.
Besides, you also have the flexibility to connect to the speaker using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RCA, or the 3.5 mm input.
Apple’s HomePod in many ways is the most restricted speaker on this list. I mean, you have to have an iPhone for this speaker to work and you can only use Apple Music to listen to songs. However, if you are someone who is already involved in Apple’s ecosystem then this is one of the best if not the best speaker system that you can buy.
Apart from its clean and compact design which still blows my mind, boy do these speakers sound good. I mean, you really have to experience this to understand why I was blown away by its audio quality.
- Seamless set-up
- Excellent sound quality
- Spatial awareness
- Works perfectly with iDevices
Buy From Apple: $299
If you are someone who loves bass then this is the Sonos Play:5 / Sonos Five alternative that you should look at. The Denon HEOS 5 brings a powerful audio delivery system that produces a heart-thumping bass experience. Denon HEOS 5 also offers the most versatile connectivity experience as the speaker supports all the major connectivity options including WiFi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, USB port, Aux Port, and Ethernet.
When it comes to delivering top-notch sound quality, Audio Pro Addon C10 has got the ability to live up to the expectation. Addon C10 sports a little different design than many of its counterparts. However, it’s well-built and can comfortably make a decent match with any home decor.
- Deliver a rich and clear sound
- Four personalized presets
- Works with Alexa
- Compatible with many music-streaming services like Tidal, Spotify, and Deezer
Yet another smart speaker from bose that deserves a mention is the robust Home Speaker 500. It features a nice-looking design that can go head-to-head against Sonos Play:5. With the eight microphone array, it’s fully equipped to offer loud and clear sound.
Notably, it’s compatible with not only Alexa but also Google Assistant. So, whether you find Alexa smarter or prefer to use Assistant, you can use a desired virtual assistant to carry out a variety of tasks
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best alternative to Sonos?
Though both Sonos and Bose smart speakers are great. Bose is slightly ahead in the face-to-face battle.
No. Sonos has a clear edge when put head-to-head against Bluesound.
Yes. Audiophiles like Sonos thanks largely to its ability to deliver top-notch sound quality.
Well, the straightforward answer to this question is “Yes”. Sonos’ offerings have lived up to the mark more often than not. So, you can bank on it to deliver the goods.
Try these Sonos Alternatives for Amazing Multi-Room Audio Experience
Let’s get this straight, Sonos multi-room speakers are one of the best on the market right now, however, they are not the only ones. Also, since Sonos killed its Sonos Play:3 speaker line, it has not released any replacement for it. To the people who are looking for Sonos alternatives, the above speakers are the best in the market as of now. Do check them out and let us know which is your favorite Sonos alternative on the market right now.
